P & P volume 2, ch.12-18

Stephen Simmons
AP English 11/Mr. George
11/12/09
P&P

"To Rosings he then hastened to console Lady Catherine, and her daughter"(161).

Mr. Collins is an over zealous snob who mimics the emotions of his superior and finds the need to fulfill her goal which is to be praised and recognized. Mr. Collins thus far basically carries out the words, teachings or attitude of Lady Catherine. Whatever his superior wants, he gives her, and whatever she states, he preaches. This aspect or relationship between Lady Catherine and Mr. Collins is significant because Mr. Collins' obsessive and gullible nature represent the failure of becoming an individual which is seen as a peak in social evolution or progression. Mr. Collins is trapped in his own world while everyone else strives to become independent and eventually evolves into intellectual individuals. He seizes to fuse with the social evolution of society. Some may say that Darcy is not social either, but he is in fact independent which something that Collins seizes to obtain.

"Mrs. Collins, you must send a servant with them. You know I always speak my mind, and i cannot bear the idea of two young women traveling post by themselves"(162).

Although it does not seem like much this quotation resembles the controlling and appraisal hungry nature of Lady Catherine. It seems as if she feels the need to dictate peoples lives and critique those who do not live to her standards. As mentioned earlier, she has already gained control over Mr. Collins, and plays him like a puppet, as well as Mrs. Collins. We get the sense that she must be involved in every family and be praised by them, thus the offering of servants, etc. Furthermore, in contrast to Lady Catherine, Elizabeth is very different. She somehow manages to put off or ignore the brutal blows given by Lady Catherine about her family and way about living, which is something that Lady Catherine can not accept. Thus far, Elizabeth is the sole example of a strong, critique for society. She resembles the fact that societal laws and the class system are unnecessary, because happiness or a good life can be achieved without them.